Cricket Update: Ashes 2010- Australia struggles, Cook shines yet again
This year, Ashes has turned out to be massive for the young English Batsman Alistair Cook. Cook would have destroyed any hopes that Australia would have had before the start of play in the second day of the test. England was in complete control following
some brilliant batting performances from the top order batsmen. The only disappointment for the English team today would have been Captain Andrew Strauss who failed to score big. The early wicket of Strauss would have given some heart to the Australian bowlers
but they couldn’t have imagined the hectic day awaiting them. After the performance of England, Australia would have lost any hope of winning this test match and leading the series. They might be looking forward to do well to survive just as England did in
the first match to save the test match.
England had lost Captain Andrew Strauss in the very first over of the day when Doug Bollinger had bowled the left hander for just one. After that, the in-form Jonathan Trott and Alistair Cook continued from where they had left in the first match. Both the
batsmen took the score to 176 after constructing a partnership of 173 runs. It was then Jonathan Trott who lost his focus and threw his wicket away to Ryan Harris. Trott scored 78 runs with 11 boundaries to his credit before getting out. The dismissal of Trott
brought Kevin Pieterson to the crease.
Pieterson had been struggling for form for the last year and a half. He has not scored a century for more than 18 months. Australian bowlers seemed a bit excited after getting the second wicket but soon, their energy was sapped after the two English batsmen
compiled yet another century partnership. The two batsmen remained unbeaten at the close of play with Cook on 136 and Pieterson on 85. Both these batsmen will start the third day and look to capitalize on the start they had got thanks to some brilliant batting
performances.
This year, Ashes is turning out to be an awesome series for Cook. The left handed opener has already compiled 438 runs after batting for a staggering 1400 minutes. Cook completed is 15th century and would be looking to carry on what he has been
doing so far. Cook has looked almost impossible to get out and Australia has no answer to his batting heroics.
The Australian team has been sloppy in the field in this series until now. Chances had been missed in the first test and the same thing happened at the Adelaide ground today. Trott was given three chances in his score of 78. First there was a run out opportunity
which was missed by Xavier Doherty. Had he hit the stumps, Trott would have been dismissed for six runs only. Then he was given a second life when Michael Hussey dropped him in the gully position. With his safe hands, Hussey would have grasped that chance
nine times out of ten. At that point, Trott was on 10. Then another chance was given to him when he was dropped by Brad Haddin down the leg side before he eventually got out on 78.
Throughout the day, runs had been flowing freely and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 had no answer to the brilliance of Cook, Pieterson and Trott. Australia would still look to start well tomorrow and not allow England to extend the lead by much. On the other hand, England would
look to capitalize on the start they got and pressurize Australia with a massive lead. England would look to bat only once in this match in order to defeat Australia by an innings. Australia was below par in the first innings and if they go on to loose this
match, it would be their first defeat in 15 years at the Adelaide ground.
Tags: